Quick answer. LIS sits on Portugal's national Multibanco network. Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Millennium BCP, and Novo Banco all have bank-ATM machines in arrivals at both terminals, charging the standard ~€2.95 foreign-card operator fee. Skip the bright-yellow Euronet machines at the exit doors (€5–7 plus a 4–12 percent DCC trap) and the Travelex / Unicambio counters in arrivals (8–12 percent markup). The Metro Red Line and Aerobus both accept contactless tap-to-pay, so you can leave the airport with zero euros if you prefer to top up at a CGD on Avenida da Liberdade.
Where to get euro at LIS
LIS has the standard Portuguese airport mix: real bank ATMs from CGD, Millennium, and Novo Banco; an unavoidable Euronet stack at the exit doors; and Travelex / Unicambio counters in arrivals. The cost math below assumes you withdraw €100 starting from a USD account.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caixa Geral / Novo Banco / Millennium ATM (LIS arrivals) | T1 + T2 arrivals halls | ~€2.95 operator fee + interbank rate | ~$110 + $3 fee |
| Real bank ATM in central Lisbon (CGD on Avenida) | After 25-min Metro or Aerobus ride | ~€2.95 + interbank rate | ~$110 + $3 fee |
| Pre-ordered euros (CEI) | Delivered to your US address | ~2–3% | ~$113-115 |
| Travelex counter (T1 arrivals) | Adjacent to ATMs | 8–12% over mid-market | ~$118–122 |
| Unicambio / Nova Câmbios counter (T1) | Arrivals concourse | 8–12% | ~$118–122 |
| Euronet standalone ATM (DCC trap) | T1 + T2 exit doors | €5–7 + 4–12% DCC | ~$115–128 |
Bank ATM locations at Humberto Delgado
LIS is Portugal's largest airport, handling roughly 35 million passengers a year across two terminals. T1 is the main terminal for all arrivals (Star Alliance, Oneworld, SkyTeam) plus most low-cost departures since Ryanair and Wizz Air consolidated their operations there. T2 is currently used for select low-cost departures only; arriving passengers do not pass through T2. Both terminals sit on the Multibanco network and the bank ATMs in arrivals all behave the same way described in our Lisbon ATM guide.
Terminal 1 (Main)
TAP Portugal, Star Alliance, Oneworld, SkyTeam, Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling, plus all transatlantic and intercontinental carriers
Bank ATMs cluster in arrivals just past customs. Caixa Geral is typically nearest the customs exit; Novo Banco sits closer to the Aerobus departure point; Millennium BCP appears on the upper level near the check-in hall. After collecting bags, follow signs toward Aerobus / Metro for the easiest withdrawal pass-through.
Terminal 2 (Departures only)
Used for select low-cost departures only; not relevant for arriving passengers.
T2 has at least one CGD ATM near the bus stop for the free T1 shuttle. Most arrivals do not need T2 at all. If you are connecting from T2 departures, withdraw at T1 before transferring.
Do you actually need cash at Lisbon Airport?
Almost never. The Metro Red Line and the Aerobus both accept contactless tap-to-pay, taxis must accept cards under Portuguese law, and ride-hail apps are card-only by definition. The first cash-only situation you are likely to hit (a Pasteis de Belém takeaway window queue, a fado-bar tip jar, a small Alfama tasca) is in central Lisbon where bank-ATM density is much higher. Here is what works on tap:
Metro Red Line (Aeroporto to São Sebastião) (€1.85 + €0.60 Viva Viagem card): Tap-to-pay or load Viva Viagem at the turnstile machine. Connects to Blue Line at São Sebastião for Avenida and Marquês de Pombal..
Aerobus 1 (to Avenida da Liberdade and Cais do Sodré) (€4 single, €6 round trip): Runs every 20 minutes. Hits Avenida da Liberdade, Restauradores, Rossio, Praça do Comércio, Cais do Sodré..
Aerobus 2 (to financial district / Sete Rios) (€4 single): Runs every 30 minutes to Saldanha and Sete Rios. Useful for the Sheraton / Tiara Park / Marriott corporate hotels..
Carris bus 744 / 745 (local bus) (€2.10 single): Cheaper but slower. 744 to Marquês de Pombal; 745 to Estefania. Tap-to-pay or Viva Viagem..
Official taxi (white or beige) (€15–20 to Baixa, €18–25 to Belém): Card readers required by Portuguese law. Confirm 'cartão' before getting in. Surcharges for luggage and 9 PM–6 AM rides..
Uber, Bolt, Free Now (€12–18 to Baixa): All card-only via the app. Often cheaper than taxi outside surge..
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Lisbon Airport to Lisbon?
No. Metro Red Line (Aeroporto to São Sebastião) accepts contactless. Most taxis accept cards. Uber and other apps are card-only.
Can I order euro before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical euro to your US address in 2-5 days at rates well below airport counters. Order 50-100 euro for taxis and tips on day one.
Which bank ATM is best at LIS arrivals?
Caixa Geral de Depósitos and Novo Banco both maintain machines in T1 arrivals, with similar ~€2.95 foreign-card operator fees. CGD tends to be closest to the customs exit; Novo Banco is typically nearer the Aerobus stop. Either works. The screen will offer a language toggle on first prompt; pick English. Decline any DCC offer in favor of a straight EUR withdrawal.
Should I use the Euronet machines at LIS?
No. Euronet has installed bright yellow standalone ATMs at the exit doors of T1 and T2, in the path you naturally walk to reach the Aerobus and Metro. They charge €5–7 per withdrawal and stage a hard DCC pitch that costs another 4–12 percent. Real CGD, Millennium, or Novo Banco machines are 30 to 90 seconds further into arrivals; walk the extra distance and save half the fee.
Are the LIS Travelex and Unicambio counters worth it?
No. The exchange counters in T1 arrivals (Travelex, Unicambio, Nova Câmbios) post mid-market-plus-8-to-12 percent rates, far worse than the bank ATMs 30 meters away. They do accept walk-in business hours when the ATMs are temporarily out of service, but otherwise should be considered an emergency-only fallback.
Can I leave LIS with zero euros?
Yes. The Metro Red Line (Linha Vermelha) from the Aeroporto stop and the Aerobus 1 / Aerobus 2 to central Lisbon both accept contactless tap-to-pay. So do all licensed taxis (card readers required by Portuguese law) and Uber, Bolt, and Free Now. If you have a no-FX-fee card you can land at LIS, take Metro to São Sebastião or Aerobus to Marquês de Pombal, and withdraw at a Caixa Geral or Millennium downtown for the same Multibanco fee.
How do I get from LIS to central Lisbon?
Three good options. The Metro Red Line runs every 6–9 minutes, takes 25–35 minutes to São Sebastião (with one transfer to Blue Line for Avenida or Marquês), and costs €1.85 plus a one-time €0.60 Viva Viagem card. The Aerobus 1 runs every 20 minutes, hits Avenida da Liberdade and Restauradores in 25 minutes, and costs €4 single. Taxis run €15–20 to Baixa with the meter on; agree before getting in if traffic looks heavy.
Can I order euros before flying to Lisbon?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical euros to your US address in 2–5 days at rates roughly 2–3 percent over interbank, far cheaper than the LIS counters or any Euronet machine. Useful if you arrive late on a Sunday or want a guaranteed buffer for the airport taxi without queuing at an ATM.